Overview

Tennis Elbow - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

Lateral epicondylitis or as it is commonly called tennis elbow is a condition by which the outer part of the elbow becomes tender and sore. It affects the part of the elbow known as lateral epicondyle. This happens because of repetitive overuse of the tendons and muscles of the forearm.

Tennis elbow leads to tenderness and pain on the site of the illness.
Any activity, which also involves playing tennis that involves repetitive use of the extensor muscles of the forearm can cause chronic tendonitis at the lateral epicondyle of the elbow.
This condition is also very common among laborers who swings hammer, and carpenters, which affects the medial epicondyle on the inside part of the elbow.
Also sometimes known as lawn-tennis elbow and washer women’s elbow, continued activity after onset of the condition can lead excruciating pain which is only treatable via surgery.
So mandatory rest is advised by doctors once you are diagnosed of this disease.

For people who are keen to know more about the non-invasive therapeutic treatments of tennis elbow, occupational therapy or physical therapy, which employ stretching-exercises, massage techniques, moist heat and ice pack therapy and use of low wave ultrasound can alleviate the pain factor of this disease.
Sometimes anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to the tennis elbow patients, if the disease has been diagnosed at an early stage.
Doctors also prescribe the patients suffering from this disease to wear an elbow brace for four to six weeks.

Many patients suffering from tennis elbow have also found relief from this condition by undergoing acupuncture therapy. In general acupuncture therapy is done for two days a week for a period of one month.
Medical practitioners even prescribe the use of corticosteroid injections for alleviating the pain when someone is suffering from this malady.
For diagnosis of this disease, doctors performs a battery of tests, during which the physician places pressure on the affected area, while asking the patient to move the arm. X-ray is also done to at times to eliminate other causes of pain, such as fracture or arthritis.

However medical ultrasonography and MRI are the best diagnostic tools for determining this disease.
Athletes who are affected with tennis elbow, should continue to work out in a smart and effective manner. Sport’s doctors often helps the athletes not only to be aware of their body, but also prescribe cross training adjustments to their exercise regime, to add diversity and avoid further injuries.

Elbow pain may be caused due to a variety of reasons from injuries to fractures and ligament pulls or tears. This is most commonly experienced by people who are into sports, including those who play tennis, golf and other such sports that require intense arm movements. So, let us look at the six most common reasons behind elbow pain: Medial Epicondylitis: This condition creates pain in the inner tendon within the elbow and is usually termed as 'golfer's elbow'. It basically occurs due to the constant swinging and throwing motion that a sports person may indulge in. When these movements are repeated on a constant basis, there is wear and tear as well as acute pain in the area. Also, an injury to the wrist can cause this pain in the elbow. Lateral Epicondylitis: This condition is commonly known as 'tennis elbow'. The affected area under this condition includes the outside tendons of the elbow. This is caused due to swinging, hitting, hammering and punching motions that are repeated too often. It is commonly experienced by cooks, artists, carpenters, automobile workers, and plumbers and people who use heavy tools. Olecranon Bursitis: This condition is also known as 'student's elbow' and usually occurs due to constant writing and gripping motion which affects the bursae. These are small fluid filled sacs that lubricate the joints even as the protection happens. The symptoms include swelling and pain. There is also risk of infection and redness in this condition. Osteoarthritis: The cartilage of the joints gets affected in this condition which is the connective tissue that exists in the joints. This condition causes wear and tear of the joints and bones which leads to pain in the various areas including the elbow. Medication and physiotherapy are good measures for treatment. Fracture: Sometimes, dislocation or fracture may lead to pain in the outstretched arm or elbow. Dislocation may take place when a bone moves from its aligned spot. The symptoms will include obvious swelling and acute pain in the elbow. Ligament Damage: Strains and sprains in the ligaments within the elbow joint can lead to this damaging condition. Torn or stretched ligaments are the most common outcomes in this kind of injury and damage. To find out which reason may be the culprit behind your elbow pain, you will need to see a general physician or an orthopaedic specialist who will run you through a series of tests and examinations including X rays, MRI scans and others in order to ascertain the cause and treatment. A sports injury specialist can also help in diagnosis and treatment.

How should you approach pain caused due to sports injuries? Sports injuries can happen to any person who engages in sporting activities. These affect full-time athletes as well as those who partake in sports and exercising on an occasional basis. Most sports injuries are acute and affect the muscles and skeletal system. Usually, they are not chronic unless caused by a grave accident or left untreated. The most common types of injuries caused due to sports are as follows: ankle sprain wrist sprain concussion knee injury tennis elbow hamstring pull cartilage damage Treatment of sports injuries depends on a number of factors such as the type of injury, part of the body affected, the intensity of the pain, and the patient's age and medical history. Accordingly, the most common ways of approaching the pain caused by sports injuries are: 1. Immediate remedies Several quick aid, home remedies are used to treat pain that is caused by minor injuries to muscles, such as sprains and strains. It involves alleviation of pain through rest, using ice packs and hot water bags, wearing supports and elastic compression bandages. 2. Medication Many medicines such as painkillers and anti-inflammatory pills, creams and sprays effectively reduce pain caused by sports injuries. In extreme cases, morphine and codeine are also prescribed. 3. Physical therapy A number of injuries can be treated and cured through certain exercise and workout routines. These aim at stretching and strengthening the affected area to provide pain relief through increased flexibility and muscle activity. 4. Injections Various substances and chemical compounds can be injected into the injured area which works on the affected ligaments, tendons, and cartilage to reduced inflammation and relieves pain. 5. Surgical procedures If the injury is too severe and the pain too intense, the best option for treatment is surgery. This is generally resorted to in case of damage to the skeleton in the form of broken bones and cracked ribs. Devising the exact treatment method requires a thorough examination of the injury. Diagnosis can only be provided after taking into consideration the many factors that affect treatment. The method of treatment varies from case to case and consequently, the recovery time also differs.

How should you approach pain caused due to sports injuries? Sports injuries can happen to any person who engages in sporting activities. These affect full-time athletes as well as those who partake in sports and exercising on an occasional basis. Most sports injuries are acute and affect the muscles and skeletal system. Usually, they are not chronic unless caused by a grave accident or left untreated. The most common types of injuries caused due to sports are as follows: ankle sprain wrist sprain concussion knee injury tennis elbow hamstring pull cartilage damage Treatment of sports injuries depends on a number of factors such as the type of injury, part of the body affected, the intensity of the pain, and the patient's age and medical history. Accordingly, the most common ways of approaching the pain caused by sports injuries are: Immediate remedies: Several quick aid, home remedies are used to treat pain that is caused by minor injuries to muscles, such as sprains and strains. It involves alleviation of pain through rest, using ice packs and hot water bags, wearing supports and elastic compression bandages. Medication: Many medicines such as painkillers and anti-inflammatory pills, creams and sprays effectively reduce pain caused by sports injuries. In extreme cases, morphine and codeine are also prescribed. Physical therapy: A number of injuries can be treated and cured through certain exercise and workout routines. These aim at stretching and strengthening the affected area to provide pain relief through increased flexibility and muscle activity. Injections: Various substances and chemical compounds can be injected into the injured area which works on the affected ligaments, tendons, and cartilage to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Surgical procedures: This is generally resorted to in case of damage to the skeleton in the form of broken bones and cracked ribs. Interventional Pain relieving procedures: These include regenerative or stem cell therapy, and neuromodulation techniques using radio frequency current. They may result in best results without any tissue cutting or damage. A pain specialist may be able to help you best in that case. Devising the exact treatment method requires a thorough examination of the injury. Diagnosis can only be provided after taking into consideration the many factors that affect treatment. The method of treatment varies from case to case and consequently, the recovery time also differs.

Lateral epicondylitis, which is the medical name for tennis elbow, is a condition wherein the tendon in the upper arm develops a tear due to repeated motions. This is a very painful condition and can make your daily life difficult. It usually tends to affect your dominant arm i.e. the arm that you use the most. Who does it affect and why does it happen? As mentioned earlier, tennis elbow occurs due to repetitive similar movements of the elbows, forearms and wrists over a prolonged period. The common name for this condition came due to repeated occurrences with tennis players although it can happen to players of other sports as well as people in other profession too. Some of the people who are most susceptible to this could be from the following fields: Sporting activities such as squash, tennis, fencing, cricket and many other sports where repeated arms movements are required. Carpenters Painters Musicians playing certain instruments Typing Knitting work Chefs and waiters Cleaning Road and construction workers Symptoms A slow exacerbation of pain over a period and gradual worsening can be a major symptom. In certain cases, the pain may manifest suddenly which will make any movement very difficult. Moving your arm may become very difficult, especially during any up or down movement of the arm. In some cases, the pain may be experienced only when shaking objects or actions wherein squeezing or hard gripping is required. Performing daily activities such as a tooth brush, trying to open jars or even trying to use a knife or fork can get extremely difficult. How it can be treated? Most treatment methods include keeping the elbow in a resting position and giving it time to heal automatically. However, some medication may also be given to relieve pain and quicken healing. Some of these are mentioned below. Elbow straps: These fix the elbow in a comfortable position and don t allow it to move helping it heal on its own. Ice treatment : This is the most common home treatment prescribed to relieve pain. You can use homemade icepacks or even buy gel pack, which can then be held against the area to relieve pain. Painkillers: Ibuprofen and aspirin can be used to lessen the pain, although it is advisable to consult your doctors first. Various physical therapies: Physiotherapy, acupuncture or specific doctor recommended exercises could be done to not only relieve pain but also quicken healing and to strengthen the tendons and the muscles of that area.

For a good recovery Apart from taking symptomatic treatment Few diet tips - Not to eat fried food items and Can eat All green vegetables, moong , chana , Dal , rice etc And to apply ghee over chappati and don’t apply oil over chappati And to drink milk mixed with turmeric powder twice a day And If possible eat eggs on alternate days And If possible in breakfast eat atleast one bajra ka rotla And Eat seasonal fruit

Hi lybrate-user if you have tennis elbow and no relief with ice, rest, anti-inflammatory or brace then you may require steriod injection or release but before tht make sure you worn brace properly becoz most of time brace provide good relief.

Stiffness is very common post surgery and you can easily make your joint flexible and strong with the right exercises prescribed by your Physiotherapist. I am sure exercises are included in your physio session. Start using your hand as normally as possible.
Hope this helps.